Remember the “call money racket” that caused a major political uproar in Andhra Pradesh during the previous tenure of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu?
'Call money' refers to a form of private lending where loans are provided instantly, often at the borrower's doorstep, but at exorbitant interest rates. The lender can also demand repayment at any time, often over the phone.
The victims were mostly women, and loan sharks reportedly went as far as punishing defaulters by forcing them into prostitution.
At the time, leaders of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), then in opposition, frequently targeted Naidu, accusing him of encouraging his party leaders to engage in the "call money" racket.
At one point, YSRCP MLA R K Roja was permanently barred from entering the assembly for the rest of the term after using derogatory language against Naidu, calling him “CAMA” (Call Money) Naidu.
During the YSRCP regime led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, there were fewer reports of call money crimes. However, with Naidu back in power, such reports have resurfaced.
This time, though, the alleged loan sharks are said to be affiliated with the YSRCP. Several reports of YSRCP leaders being involved in call money rackets have emerged from the Eluru district recently.
The police have reportedly received numerous complaints from women against a local YSRCP leader, M Sudhakar Reddy, in Eluru, accusing him of extorting them with exorbitant interest rates and collecting large sums of money.
There have also been allegations that Reddy and his associates were raiding the homes of loan defaulters, threatening women, and sexually assaulting them.
"He forces us to sign blank promissory notes and advance cheques, then demands money through phone calls, using vulgar language," one woman complained.
On Wednesday, State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha visited Eluru and interacted with the women who were victims of this call money racket. She warned of strict action against racketeers exploiting poor women.
She instructed Eluru police authorities to file serious criminal cases against those who behaved indecently with women in the name of loan recovery.